What Do IP65, IP66, IP67, and IP68 Protection Ratings Mean? Application of the International Protection Rating
, by Oliwia Sajnaj, 3 min reading time
The IP (Ingress Protection) Rating, also known as the International Protection Rating, is a crucial indicator that defines the level of protection a product offers against external factors like dust, water, and mechanical damage. The IP Rating consists of two digits, each referring to a specific type of protection. Understanding this system is essential for customers who want to choose the right product for their needs. Here is a brief introduction to IP protection ratings and how they can help in selecting the appropriate device or equipment.
What is an IP Rating?
An IP Rating is an international standard that specifies the degree of protection provided by devices against the ingress of solid objects (e.g., dust) and moisture (e.g., water). It stands for "International Protection" or "Ingress Protection." The IP rating consists of two digits: the first denotes protection against solid particles, and the second denotes protection against moisture.
Significance of the First Digit
The first digit in the IP rating refers to protection against the ingress of solid particles such as dust, dirt, hands, or tools. This digit can range from 0 to 6, where 0 means no protection and 6 indicates complete protection against dust and particles.
| Digit | Level of Protection |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protection against access to hazardous parts with the back of the hand; protection against solid objects over 50 mm in diameter |
| 2 | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a finger; protection against solid objects over 12.5 mm in diameter |
| 3 | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a tool; protection against solid objects over 2.5 mm in diameter |
| 4 | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a wire; protection against solid objects over 1 mm in diameter |
| 5 | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a wire; limited protection against dust (dust protected) |
| 6 | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a wire; complete protection against dust (dust tight) |
Significance of the Second Digit
The second digit in the IP rating indicates the level of moisture protection, from droplets of water to submersion in water. This digit ranges from 0 to 9, where 0 means no protection and 9 means protection against high-pressure water jets.
| Digit | Level of Protection |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protection against vertically falling water drops |
| 2 | Protection against vertically falling water drops when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from vertical |
| 3 | Protection against spraying water at an angle up to 60° from vertical |
| 4 | Protection against splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Protection against water jets (12.5 l/min) from any direction |
| 6 | Protection against powerful water jets (100 l/min) from any direction |
| 7 | Protection against temporary immersion in water (30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter) |
| 8 | Protection against continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer (usually deeper than 1 meter) |
| 9 | Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets |
Examples of IP Ratings in Use
IP ratings are particularly significant in industries such as electronics, outdoor lighting, photovoltaics, and manufacturing. For instance, equipment with an IP40 rating, like certain electrical distribution boxes, is protected against objects larger than 1 mm but offers no protection against water, making it suitable only for indoor use. ABS electrical boxes with an IP65 rating are completely protected against dust and resistant to low-pressure water jets. On the other hand, IP68-rated devices, such as some cable glands, are entirely dustproof and waterproof, ensuring complete protection for cables and preventing damage or disconnection.
